Machine for making individual sealed cigarettes



Sept. 28, 1965 E. CHALUPA 3,208,458

MACHINE FOR MAKING INDIVIDUAL SEALED CIGARETTES Filed May 4, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVi-JJTOR.

I02 fmil Charla 0a Sept. 28, 1965 E. CHALUPA 3,208,458

MACHINE FOR MAKING INDIVIDUAL SEALED CIGARETTES Filed May 4, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

E/m! [hale/pa Sept. 28, 1965 E. CHALUPA 3,208,458

MACHINE FOR MAKING INDIVIDUAL SEALED CIGARETTES Filed May 4, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR fmil Cha/upa United States Patent 3,208,458 MACHINE FOR MAKING INDIVIDUAL SEALED CIGARETTES Emil Chalupa, 336 E. 63rd St, New York, N.Y. Filed May 4, 1964, Ser. No. 364,470 11 Claims. (Cl. 131-76) This invention concerns a machine for making individual cigarettes with sealed ends.

One object of the invention is to provide a mechanism as part of a cigarette manufacturing machine which closes flaps at opposite ends of the cigarettes to prevent escape of moisture and volatile flavors, so as to keep the cigarettes in a fresh flavorful condition, and to prevent absorption of foreign volatile substances by the tobacco filling of cigarettes.

It has been discovered that cigarettes having unsealed ends absorb and are contaminated by volatile foreign substances when they are carried in a pocket or purse exposed to cosmetics and other articles having volatile constituents. These absorbed substances degrade the flavor and odor of the tobacco, and in addition may constitute a health hazard when they are burned while the cigarettes are being smoked. The present invention is therefore directed at providing improved, simplified means for manufacturing individual cigarettes in which each cigarette comprises a paper tube filled with tobacco shreds and sealed at both ends by overlapping flaps.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of apparatus embodying the invention, parts being omitted.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3I are end views, partially in section, and partially diagrammatic, of parts of the apparatus, showing the same at various successive steps of an operating cycle.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a control circuit of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of a sealed cigarette.

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A-3I, there is shown cigarette making apparatus including a roll of cigarette paper 12 carried on a horizontal shaft 11 supported rotatably on suitable bearings 14, 14a and driven by a motor 16. The motor is indicated schematically in FIG. 1. The paper has scalloped lateral edges defining flaps 18. The paper is fed obliquely downward into a semicylindrical trough 20 disposed axially horizontal. The trough is supported on a suitable stationary base 22. A hopper 24 containing shredded tobacco 28 is located near the trough. The hopper 24 has a chute 26 extending downwardly to discharge tobacco 28 into the trough. A horizontally disposed platen bar 30 with a sharp bottom edge is disposed above the open upper side of the trough at one side of paper 12. The bar has a fixed upper support 31, shown attached to a long, flat nozzle 33 of an atomizer assembly. Horizontally disosed above the trough on the other side of the paper 12 is a paper cutting blade 36. This blade is carried by a plunger 38 of an electromagnet 40. The upper side of blade 36 is located on the same level as the lower edge of the platen bar to coact therewith in cutting paper 12.

Another electromagnet 41 under eleotromagnet 40 has an other plunger 42 carrying a horizontal spring plate 3,208,458 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 44 which serves as a pusher for an end of the plate when cut by blade 36. Plate 44 is located below the blade 36 and has a curved free end 45.

At the right side of the trough as viewed in FIGS. 3A-- 3I is another spring plate 46 carried by a plunger 48 of another electromagnet 50 for pushing a free end of the paper during the cigarette making operation of the apparatus. Plate 46 has a curved free end 47 with a series of holes 49.

The apparatus includes an air pump 52 mounted on a fixed support 53 above the trough 20. The pump supports an atomizer 54. A pipe 56 is attached to the atomizer and the long, narrow nozzle 33 is carried by pipe 56. The narrow mouth 58 of the nozzle is disposed parallel to the axis of the trough. A branch pipe 59 is connected to the atomizer. This pipe 59 has an electrically controlled valve 60. Pipe 59 is connected to a tank 62 above pump 52. The tank contains a suitable fluid adhesive. When the valve 60 is open and the air pump 52 is operating a spray of adhesive is emitted from the nozzle mouth 58 along the length of the trough. When valve 60 is closed and the air pump 52 is operating, an air stream is emitted from the nozzle and down on the open side of the trough.

At both ends of the trough 20 are two sets 70, 70" of flat blades 70A, 70B, 70C for folding flaps 18 of the paper 12. These blades may be parts of plungers extending out of electromagnets 71. The blades in each set are disposed in a vertical plane and angularly spaced apart. Each blade has an arcuate end 72. The blades are located so that each one can turn and bend one of the end flaps 18 of the cigarette paper inwardly against an end of the cigarette formed on trough 20. Small spots D of pressure sensitive adhesive are provided on flaps 18. The adhesive is omitted from each third flap. On hopper 24 is a door 82 controlled by a electromagnet 84 for releasing tobacco 28 from the hopper. The operation of the apparatus is shown in successive stages I-IX in FIGS. 3A3I.

In stage I shown in FIG. 3A, the paper 12 extends into the trough and around the trough up to the right edge 20a in a channel-shaped form. Tobacco shreds 28 then are discharged down the chute 26 from hopper 24 as door 82 is opened to fill the trough lined with the paper 12. After a predetermined quantity of tobacco has been discharged into the trough, the flow of tobacco is cut off and the paper 12 is moved in its oblique plane downwardly while its free end or edge 12' rises. The paper is now in the position of stage II shown in FIG. 3B. The electromagnet 50 then advances the plunger 48 and plate 46 to the left as shown in stage III of FIG. 3C so that the plate 46 turns the free edge 12' of the paper over the tobacco 28 in trough 20. At this point the air pump is operated to discharge a stream of air through pipe 56 and nozzle 33 upon the curved end 47 of the plate 46 which is holding the edge 12' of the paper down on the tobacco. As the air stream S starts the plate 46 is retracted. As the plate 46 retracts the air stream S holds the paper end 12' down on the tobacco. The stream 8 passes through holes 49 in holding down the paper while plate end 47 is in the position of FIG. 3C.

Stage IV shown in FIG. 3D then begins. The valve 60 is opened and the fluid adhesive enters atomizer 54. The fluid is entrained in the air stream and adhesive spray S is discharged upon the upper side of the paper end 12'. This occurs only momentarily and valve 60 closes so that air stream S continues as indicated at stage V in FIG. 3B. The plate 46 has retracted and the air stream holds the paper end 12 down. The upper side of the paper end 12' is lightly coated with the sprayed adhesive. The blade 36 is then advanced to the right as the upper electromagnet 40 is actuated so that the paper 12 is cut at the 3 bottom edge of the platen bar 30. This cutting step is shown in FIG. 3E.

Stage VI shown in FIG. 3F then starts. The cutting blade 36 retracts leaving the cut free end 12 of the paper at the left edge of the trough. The plunger 42 of electromagnet 41 is actuated and the pusher plate 44 moves to the right to bend the end 12" of the paper over the paper end 12 which is being held down by the air stream 8. The air pump 52 is then stopped to cut off the air stream as paper end 12" adheres to paper end 12' to complete the formation of a paper tube T open at both ends, with three outwardly extending flaps 18 at each end.

Stage VII shown in FIG. 3G then begins while extended plate 44 holds the filled paper tube T stationary. The upper blades 70A of both set-s of blades 70, 70" are then advanced downwardly to bend down upper flaps 18A. As the blades 70A retract, blades 70B advance to bend flaps 1813 over flaps 18A. Each flap 18B adheres to adhesive spot D1 on flap 18A. Adhesive spot D2 on flap 18B is exposed as shown at stage VIII in FIG. 3H. Blade 44 continues to hold the filled paper tube and prevents it from turning in the trough 20. As blades 70B retract, blades 70C advance to bend flaps 18C over flaps 18B to stick flaps 18C to spots D2 on flaps 183. The blade 44 is then retracted and the completed cigarette C can be removed from the trough 20. The apparatus is then ready to begin another cycle, starting at stage I of FIG. 3A. The completed cigarette can be discharged from the trough and packed in a box or other container by suitable conventional cigarette packaging machinery which need not be described here.

If desired, the adhesive dots D1 and D2 may be omitted from the flaps, but it is preferred that they be provided to produce a more completely sealed cigarette.

FIG. 4 shows an electric circuit 100 which may be employed to operate the apparatus automatically. The electromagnets 71 are arranged in three pairs. One pair actuating plungers 70A are connected together. A second pair actuating plungers 70B are connected together. A third pair actuating plungers 70C are connected together. These electromagnets are connected to one terminal 81A of a battery or power supply 80 together with electromagnets 40, 41, 50, 60A, 84, motor 16 and motor 52a of pump 52. A solenoid 60A which operates valve 60 is also connected to the power supply. The power supply terminal 81B is connected to rotor arm 79 f a rotary switch 75 having multiple contacts C1-C10. The rotor is driven by a motor 102. As contacts C1-C10 are closed in turn with rotor arm 79, the electromagnets and motors 16, 52a are operated in sequence to actuate the cigarette sealing mechanism. As the arm 79 rotates over the contacts automatic operation of the apparatus is effected. When arm 79 closes with contact C1 motor 16 is actuated to advance sheet 12 into trough 20. When arm 79 closes with contact C2, tobacco 28 is discharged into the trough as electromagnet 84 actuates door 82 of hopper 24. When arm 79 reaches contact C1 the paper 12 is advanced again so paper end 12' projects. When arm 79 closes in turn with contact C3, blade 46 is advanced to turn in paper end 12'. When arm 79 reaches contact C4 the pump motor 52a is started. At contact C5 the valve 60 is opened. The valve closes as the arm 79 passes contact C5 while motor 52a keeps running. At contact C6 the electromagnet 40 advances blade 36; then at contact C7 the electromagnet 41 advances plate 44. Plate 44 remains advanced while each pair of electromagnets 71 is actuated in turn at contacts C8, C9, C10. Then the electromagnet 41 is deenergized and blade 44 retracts to complete the operating cycle of the apparatus. Thus, as arm 79 rotates, automatic operation of the cigarette manufacturing and sealing apparatus is effected.

The cigarette C as shown in FIG. 5 has ends closed by flaps 18A, 18B, 18C. The smoker can easily tear off the flaps at either or both ends when ready to smoke the cigarette, which will be in a clean, uncontaminated condition.

The apparatus described can be arranged to operate at very high speed without any material increase in cost of manufacture over conventional cigarettes having unsealed ends.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment f my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped opposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semi-cylindrical trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and forming said end portion of the paper into a channel-shaped paper member having an open upper side, means for feeding the paper to the trough, a hopper disposed adjacent one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said end portion of the paper, a first plate disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said end portion of the paper inwardly over the tobacco in said end portion of the paper in the trough, a platen adjacent an opposite side of the trough, a blade disposed near the platen and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said blade having a cutting edge cooperating with said platen in cutting said end portion of the paper free from said supply to form another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the turned in free end of the paper down on the tobacco when said first plate is retracted, means for discharging an adhesive in said air stream on the turned in free end of the paper, a second plate disposed near said trough at said other side thereof for turning said other free end of said paper member over the turned in first-named free end thereof to adhere the two free ends of said paper member together and to form a paper tube enclosing tobacco, said paper being wider than the length of the trough so that the flaps extend axially outward of opposite ends of said tube at opposite ends of the trough, and sequentially operable other blades disposed at the opposite ends of the trough for closing the flaps over each other at the opposite ends of the tube to enclose the tobacco completely in the tube.

2. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped opposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semi-cylinder trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and forming said end portion of the paper into a channel-shaped paper member having an open upper side, means for feeding the paper to the trough, a hopper disposed adjacent one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said end portion of the paper, a first plate disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said end portion of the paper inwardly over the tobacco in said end portion of the paper in the trough, a platen adjacent an oppositeside of the trough, a blade disposed near the platen and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said blade having a cutting edge cooperating with said platen in cutting said end portion of the paper free from said supply to form another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the turned in free end of the paper down on the tobacco when said first plate is retracted, means for discharging an adhesive in said air stream on the turned in free end of the paper, a second plate disposed near said trough at said other side thereof for turning said other free end of said paper member over the turned in first-named free end thereof to adhere the two free ends of said paper member together and to form a paper tube enclosing tobacco, said paper being wider than the length of the trough so that the flaps extend axially outward of opposite ends of said tube at opposite ends of the trough, sequentially operable blades disposed at the opposite ends of the trough for closing the flaps over each other at the opposite ends of the tube to enclose the tobacco completely in the tube, electromagnetic means for moving said plates and said blades, and motor driven switch means in circuit with said electromagnetic means for actuating the plates and blades to turn in the free ends of said paper member, cut the paper, and close the flaps in a predetermined sequence.

3. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped opposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semi-cylindrical trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and for forming said end portion into a channel-shaped paper member having an open upper side, motor means for feeding the paper into the trough, first control means for starting and stopping said motor means, a hopper disposed adjacent to one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said paper member, second control means for opening and closing the hopper to start and stop feed for tobacco from the trough, first paper turning means disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said paper member inwardly over tobacco therein, third control means for actuating the paper turning means, a stationary element located at an opposite side of the trough, paper cutting means disposed near said element and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said cutting means cooperating with said element in cutting said paper member free from said supply thereof to provide another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, fourth control means for actuating the paper cutting means, second paper turning means disposed near the other side of the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn the other free end of said paper member inwardly over the first-named free end thereof to form a paper tube, fifth control means for actuating said second paper turning means, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the first-named end of said paper member down on the tobacco therein while the other end of the paper member is being turned in, sixth control means for turning said air stream on and off, means for discharging a fluid adhesive in said air stream on the turned in first-named end of said member, seventh control means for starting and stopping the discharge of fluid adhesive in the air stream, paper flap turning means at opposite ends of the trough for sequentially turning said flaps over each other at opposite ends of said tube to enclose the tobacco completely in the tube while the second paper turning means prevents rotation of the tube, and eighth control means for actuating said flap turning means in a predetermined order.

4. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped opposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semi-cylindrical trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and for forming said end portion into a channel-shaped paper member having an open upper side, motor means for feeding the paper into the trough, first control means for starting and stopping said motor means, a hopper disposed adjacent to one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said paper member, second con- -trol means for opening and closing the hopper to start and stop feed of tobacco from the trough, first paper turning means disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said paper member inwardly over tobacco therein, third control means for actuating the paper turning means, a stationary element located at an opposite side of the trough, paper cutting means disposed near said element and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said cutting means cooperating with said element in cutting said paper member free from said supply thereof to provide another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, fourth control means for actuating the paper cutting means, second paper turning means disposed near the other side of the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn the other free end of said paper member inwardly over the first-named free end thereof to form a paper tube, fifth control means for actuating said second paper turning means, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the first-named end of said paper member down on the tobacco therein while the other end of the paper member is being turned in, sixth control means for turning said air stream on and off, means for discharging a fluid adhesive in said air stream on the turned in first-named end of said member, seventh control means for starting and stopping the discharge of fluid adhesive in the air stream, paper flap turning means at opposite ends of the trough for sequentially turning said flaps over each other atopposite ends of said tube to enclose the tobacco completely in the tube while the second paper turning means prevents rotation of the tube, and eighth control means for actuating said flap turning means in a predetermined order, a control circuit interconnecting each of the eight control means, and motor driven switch means in said circuit for actuating each of the eight control means in a predetermined sequence.

5. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped opposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semicylindrical trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and for forming said end portion into a channel-shaped paper member having an open upper side, motor means for feeding the paper into the trough, a hopper adjacent to one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said paper member, first paper turning means disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said paper member inwardly over tobacco therein, a stationary element disposed near the other side of the trough, paper cutting means disposed near said element and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said paper cutting means cooperating with said element in cutting said paper member free from said supply thereof to provide another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, second paper turning means disposed near the other side of the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn the other free end of said paper member inwardly over the first-named free end thereof to form a paper tube, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the first-named free end of said paper member down on the tobacco in said member while the other end of the paper member is being turned in, and paper flap turning means at opposite ends of the trough for sequentially turning said flaps over each other at opposite ends of said tube to enclose the tobacco completely in the tube while the second paper turning member prevents rotation of the tube in the trough.

6. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped opposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semicylindrical trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and for forming said end portion into a channel-shaped paper member having an open upper side, motor means for feeding the paper into the trough, a hopper adjacent to one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said paper member, first paper turning means disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said paper member inwardly over tobacco therein, a stationary element disposed near the other side of the trough, paper cutting means disposed near said element and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said paper cutting means cooperating with said element in cutting said paper member free from said supply thereof to provide another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, second paper turning means disposed near the other side of the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn the other free end of said paper member inwardly over the firstnamed free end thereof to form a paper tube, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the first-named free end of said paper member down on the tobacco in said member while the other end of the paper member is being turned in, means for discharging an adhesive in said air stream on the turned in first-named end of said member, and paper flap turning means at opposite ends of the trough for sequentially turning said flaps over each other at opposite ends of said tube to enclose the tobacco completely in the tube while the second paper turning member prevents rotation of the tube in the trough.

7. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped opposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semi-cylindrical trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and for forming said end portion into a channel-shaped paper member having an open upper side, motor means for feeding the paper into the through, first control means for starting and stopping said motor means, a hopper disposed adjacent to one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said paper member, second control means for opening and closing the hopper to start and stop feed of tobacco from the trough, first paper turning means disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said paper member inwardly over tobacco therein, third control means for actuating the paper turning means, a stationary element located at an opposite side of the trough, paper cutting means disposed near said element and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said cutting means cooperating with said element in cutting said paper member free from said supply thereof to provide another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, fourth control means for actuating the paper cutting means, second paper turning means disposed near the other side of the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn the other free end of said paper member inwardly over the first-named free end thereof to form a paper tube, fifth control means for actuating said second paper turning means, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the first-named end of said paper member down on the tobacco therein while the other end of the paper member is being turned in, sixth control means for turning said air stream on and off, paper flap turning means at opposite ends of the trough for sequentially turning said flaps over each other at opposite ends of said tube to enclose the tobacco completely in the tube while the second paper turning means prevents rotation of the tube, and seventh control means for actuating said flap turning means in a predetermined order.

8. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped oposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semi-cylindrical trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and for forming said end portion into a channel-shaped paper member having an open upper side, motor means for feeding the paper into the trough, first control means for starting and stopping said motor means, a hopper disposed adjacent to one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said paper member, second control means for opening and closing the hopper to start and stop feed of tobacco from the trough, first paper turning means disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said paper member inwardly over tobacco therein, third control means for actuating the paper turning means, a sationary element located at an opposite side of the trough, paper cutting means disposed near said element and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said cutting means cooperating with said element in cutting said paper member free from said supply thereof to provide another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, fourth control means for actuating the paper cutting means, second paper turning means disposed near the other side of the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn the other free end of said paper member inwardly over the first-named free end thereof to form a paper tube, fifth control means for actuating said second paper turning means, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the first-named end of said paper member down on the tobacco therein while the other end of the paper member is being turned in, sixth control means for turning said air stream on and off, paper flap turning means at opposite ends of the trough for sequentially turning said flaps over each other at opposite ends of said tube to enclose the tobacco completely in the tube while the second paper turning means prevents rotation of the tube, and seventh control means for actuating said flap turning means in a predetermined order, a control circuit interconnecting each of the seven control means, and motor driven switch means in said circuit for actuating each of the seven control means in a predetermined sequence.

9. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped opposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semi-cylindrical trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and for forming said end portion into a channel-shaped paper member having an open upper side, motor means for feeding the paper into the trough, first control means for starting and stopping said motor means, a hopper disposed adjacent to one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said paper member, second control means for opening and closing the hopper to start and stop feed of tobacco from the trough, first paper turning means disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said paper member inwardly over tobacco therein, third control means for actuating the paper turning means, a stationary element located at an opposite side of the trough, paper cutting means disposed near said element and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said cutting means cooperating with said element in cutting said paper member free from said supply thereof to provide another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, fourth control means for actuating the paper cutting means, second paper turning means disposed near the other side of the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn the other free end of said paper member inwardly over the first-named free end thereof to form a paper tube, fifth control means for actuating said second paper turning means, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the first-named end of said paper member down on the tobacco therein while the other end of the paper member is being turned in, sixth control means for turning said air stream on and off, means for discharging a fluid adhesive in said air stream on the turned in first-named end of said member, seventh control means for starting and stopping the discharge of fluid adhesive in the air stream, paper flap turning means at opposite ends of the trough for sequentially turning said flaps over each other at opposite ends of said tube to enclose the tobacco completely in the tube while the second paper turning means prevents rotation of the tube, and eighth control means for actuating said flap turning means in a predetermined order, said flap turning means comprising two sets of three blades each, the blades in each set being disposed in a plane radially of the trough for turning in ditferent flaps spaced apart circumferentially of the tube.

10. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped opposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semi-cylindrical trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and for forming said end portion into a channel-shaped paper member having an open upper side, motor means for feeding the paper into the trough, first control means for starting and stopping said motor means, a hopper disposed adjacent to one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said paper member, second control means for opening and closing the hopper to start and stop feed of tobacco from the trough, first paper turning means disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said paper member inwardly over tobacco therein, third control means for actuating the paper turning means, a stationary element located at an opposite side of the trough, paper cutting means disposed near said element and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said cutting means cooperating with said element in cutting said paper member free from said supply thereof, to provide another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, fourth control means for actuating the paper cutting means, second paper turning means disposed near the other side of the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn the other free end of said paper member inwardly over the first-named free end thereof to form a paper tube, fifth control means for actuating said second paper turning means, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the first-named end of said paper member down on the tobacco therein while the other end of the paper member is being turned in, sixth control means for turning said air stream on and off, means for discharging a fluid adhesive in said air stream on the turned in first-named end of said member, seventh control means for starting and stopping the discharge of fluid adhesive in the air stream, paper flap turning means at opposite ends of the trough for sequentially turning said flaps over each other at opposite ends of said tube to enclose the tobacco completely in the tube while the second paper turning means prevents rotation of the tube, and eighth control means for actuating said flap turning means in a predetermined order, said flap turning means comprising two sets of three blades each, the blades in each set being disposed in a plane radially of the trough for turning in ditferent flaps spaced apart circumferentially of the tube, a control circuit interconnecting each of the eight control means, and motor driven switch means in said circuit for actuating each of the eight control means in a predetermined sequence.

11. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising means for providing a supply of continuous paper having scalloped opposite edges defining two parallel series of flaps, a semi-cylindrical trough for receiving one end portion of the paper from said supply and for forming said end portion into a channel-shaped paper member hav ing an open upper side, motor means for feeding the paper into the trough, a hopper adjacent to one side of the trough to discharge shredded tobacco into the trough while lined with said paper member, first paper turning means disposed near the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn a free end of said paper member inwardly over tobacco therein, a stationary element disposed near the other side of the trough, paper cutting means disposed near said element and spaced therefrom so that the paper extends therebetween from said supply thereof, said paper cutting means cooperating with said element in cutting said paper member free from said supply thereof to provide another free end of said paper member at said other side of the trough, second paper turning means disposed near the other side of the trough and movable laterally over the trough to turn the other free end of said paper member inwardly over the firstnanned free end thereof to form a paper tube, means for providing an air stream directed downwardly on the trough for holding the first-named free end of said paper member down on the tobacco in said member while the other end of the paper member is being turned in, means for discharging an adhesive in said air stream on the turned in first-named end of said member, and paper flap turning means at opposite ends of the trough for sequentially turning said flaps over each other at opposite ends of said tube to enclose the tobacco com-- pletely in the tube while the second paper turning member prevents rotation of the tube in the trough, said flap turning means comprising two sets of three blades each, the blades in each set being disposed in a plane radially of the trough for turning in different flaps spaced apart circumferentially of the tube.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 294,114 2/84 Burns et al. 131158 501,498 7/93 Fombuena 131-76 506,412 10/93 Bilgram 131-76 586,599 7/97 Girard 131-76 594,968 12/97 Rose et al 131-76 686,054 11/01 Grabau 131-76 1,164,118 12/15 Rogier 131-89 SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner. 

5. CIGARETTE MANUFACTURING APPARTUS, COMPRISING MEANS FOR PROVIDING A SUPPLY OF CONTINUOUS PAPER HAVING SCALLOPED OPPOSITE EDGES DEFINING TWO PARALLEL SERIES OF FLAPS, A SEMICYLINDRICAL TROUGH FOR RECEIVING ONE END PORTION OF THE PAPER FROM SAID SUPPLY AND FOR FORMING SAID END PORTION INTO A CHANNEL-SHAPED PAPER MEMBER HAVING AN OPEN UPPER SIDE, MOTOR MEANS FOR FEEDING THE PAPER INTO THE TROUGH, A HOPPER ADJACENT TO ONE SIDE OF THE TROUGH TO DISCHARGE SHREDDED TOBACCO INTO THE TROUGH WHILE LINED WITH SAID PAPER MEMBER, FIRST PAPER TURNING MEANS DISPOSED NEAR THE TROUGH AND MOVABLE LATERALLY OVER THE TROUGH TO TURN A FREE END OF SAID PAPER MEMBER INWARDLY OVER TOBACCO THEREIN, A STATIONARY ELEMENT DISPOSED NEAR THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TROUGH, PAPER CUTTING MEANS DISPOSED NEAR SAID ELEMENT AND SPACED THEREFROM SO THAT THE PAPER EXTENDS THEREBETWEEN FROM SAID SUPPLY THEREOF, SAID PAPER CUTTING MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID ELEMENT IN CUTTING SAID PAPER MEMBER FREE FROM SAID SUPPLY THEREOF TO PROVIDE ANOTHER FREE END OF SAID PAPER MEMBER AT SAID OTHER SIDE OF THE TROUGH, SECOND PAPER TURNING MEANS 